The Why:
The Fiesta Bowl get the Big 12 Champ when that team doesn't go to the National Championship game. And We all know what happened with the Cowboys getting snubbed by the pollsters because all of the SEC and it's hordes of media outlets whined and cried that their loss was worse than Alabama's loss. Hey Fuckers, remember 2006? Same situation, different tune. Well at least you have you integrity. Pricks!

Anyway, this marks the Pokes 21st bowl game and sixth bowl in a row.

Stanford finished third in the PAC 12 and received the BCS at large. This is Stanford's 23rd bowl all time and their third straight.

What Smartypants Accounting Guy Would Tell You:
Do you like offense? Good, cause you're going to get it. Stanford led by all American boy SR QB Andrew Luck. The Cardinal put up 43.6 ppg and are ranked 11th in total offense posting an impressive 480.9 ypg. The are a very balanced team as they are 20th in rushing and 26th in passing offense.

Defensively they are a solid bunch. Ranking 22nd in scoring they allow 20.3 ppg. Giving up 331.4 ypg puts the Cardinal at 25th nationally. They are stout against the run as the 5th ranked rushing defense and therefore see a lot of passing which put them at 79th.

Which is good news for the Cowboys, as passing is what they do. SR QB and resident old man, Brandon Weeden commands the second ranked passing and scoring defense. They amass 557 ypg (3rd) which leads to 49.3 ppg. They don't rush as much as they pass, ranking them 43rd nationally.

Defensively, like all Big 12 teams they aren't so good statistically. Ranking 60th in scoring they allow 25.8 ppg. They are 85th against the run, 103 against the pass and 106th in total defense. The bright side for this defense is they are opportunistic.This team is second in the nation in turn over margin but lead the nation in turnovers gained.

Pool Prognosticators Pattern:
Someone needs to get a razor for that Oklahoma State mascot. What's up with that? But, Stanford has a tree. I'll never understand that, ever. At the end of it, it comes down to one thing: T. Boone Pickins. Who doesn't love a crazy, old oil tycoon? Love that guy. Go Pokes!

Vegas Edge:
The line open at -3.5 in favor of the Cowboys. And since it moved to 4, with the O/U at 74. Stanford was 10-2 ATS and OK St went 9-3. Not much to take away from that. Stanford hasn't been the dog all year and OK St went 8-3 as the favorite. I think the play here is the over.

Sweatpants Verdict:
I think this is going to be a fun game to watch. Mostly because I think it's going to be all out MACTION! I think everyone has been concerned with the Cowboys defense. But they completely shut down Oklahoma. And held Baylor and Missouri to 24 pts. But then they gave up 37 to Iowa State and 45 to K State. I guess it'll depend with D shows up.

I think OK St has a giant chip on it's shoulder. They are going to come into this game with something to prove. Who knows, if they blow the doors off the Cardinal and Alabama eeks out a win against LSU in a 9-6 pukefest, the Pokes could get the AP #1 vote.

I don't think Stanford has enough firepower to keep up with the Cowboys. Because I think we're headed for a shoot out. Look for Luck to have 2-3 turn overs and the Cowboys to win a wild one. OK St 45-37.